The Latest: Family of slain soldier still have questions

December 18, 2017

FILE - This file photo provided by the U.S. Army Special Operations Command shows Sgt. La David Johnson, who was killed in an Oct. 4 ambush in Niger. Johnson, who was killed in an ambush in Niger with three comrades and his body recovered days later, wasn’t captured alive by the enemy or executed at close range, The Associated Press has learned, based on the conclusion of a military investigation. The report has determined that he was killed by enemy rifle and machine gun fire as he fled the attack by an offshoot of the Islamic State group. (U.S. Army Special Operations Command via AP, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on the death of Army Sgt. La David T. Johnson (all times local):

8:30 a.m.

The family of Army Sgt. La David T. Johnson says they still have questions about the soldier’s October ambush in Niger.

A military investigation has concluded that Johnson was killed by enemy gunfire but that he wasn’t captured alive or killed at close range.

Johnson’s mother, Cowanda Jones-Johnson, tells CNN that she first learned of the latest investigation results on Facebook. She also says the military hasn’t told her why her son’s remains weren’t found at the same time as the bodies of his comrades.

She said: “I want the truth ... but there’s no closure.”

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A military investigation has concluded that Army Sgt. La David T. Johnson died in a hail of gunfire, hit as many as 18 times as he took cover in thick brush during an October ambush in Niger. He fought to the end after fleeing militants who had just killed three comrades.

The Associated Press has learned the investigation found that Johnson wasn’t captured alive or killed at close range, dispelling a swirl of rumors about how he died.

The report has determined that Johnson, 25, of Miami Gardens, Florida, was killed by enemy rifle and machine gun fire from members of an Islamic State offshoot. The ambush took place about 120 miles north of the African nation’s capital.